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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

A Few of My Favorite Things

Usually when I see gift ideas for moms they are WAY too fashionable for me, or much more than I'd ever spend on myself, or things I just would never use. One of my most favorite things is my new vacuum I bought myself last year for Christmas for my husband to give me. No kidding. But there HAS to be someone else out there that thinks getting a new vacuum for Christmas is exciting? Maybe?

I loved my first Dyson but when it bit the dust (we put that thing through hell) and it came to buy a new one I had sticker shock. Wow, those prices have gone up! So I took my chances, read some reviews and bought something more budget friendly. And I love this vacuum, in fact, I really think it has stronger suction that the Dyson (it puts vacuum lines in my Berber!). All the pieces and parts come apart also, in case a small sock or precious Lego gets vacuumed up or stuck. The cord is nice and long and the attachments are useful.

This Vitamix 2-speed Blender is not inexpensive, but I bought it only after going through "cheap" blenders that broke. I LOVE this thing. We use it daily-smoothies, shakes, and my favorite treat ever-banana ice cream, which I eat just about every night. It has excellent reviews on Amazon.

My oldest daughter wanted to buy a pair of these for me for years and years, and frankly I thought they were overpriced and ugly, and made everyone look like they have Big Foot feet, and also that I'm (a tad;) too old to wear them. And they are expensive and they are sort of ugly and I am too old to wear them, but darn, she was right, I love them. I wear them all winter with everything and don't ever want to take them off. I am always cold in the winter, but these keep my feet warm inside my drafty old house and outside too, and are so comfortable and easy. The new gray ones are so cute too.

I don't wear perfume because I am sensitive to fragrance, but I found this lotion in Seaside, Florida a couple years ago and it smells wonderful to me-just like the beach. That is the same bottle I originally bought-I only use a little bit and it's just enough. You can find it here.

For daytime, I have sensitive, dry skin and I haven't found anything that works better. It is light enough for under makeup, and strong enough that I use it in the evening too. It doesn't have a strong scent either. I go through about two bottles a year.

My face needs moisture, but it doesn't like all the chemicals in the drug store brands. Everything to me smells like a test tube of acid. And NONE of it ever could keep up with dry skin.

I found this brand on Etsy and ADORE this stuff. I only put it on at night after I wash my face. It's straight oil, but has never made me break out once. I won't say it took away all my wrinkles, but I will say my wrinkles look a ton better compared to when I was using the really expensive wrinkle creams and acids. (Which I will never use again!) The $18 bottle lasted me almost a year.

Elta MD Sunscreen-I started using this WAY too late-like 45 years too late. I tried so many different brands, but either it was once again too chemical smelling and feeling, or just really greasy. I was given a small sample of this and loved it. It has a nice dry feeling to it, and this SPF works great for me, even on burning hot soccer fields. It has excellent reviews on Amazon.

My hairdresser used this once on my hair, and the next time I visited she sold me a bottle. Sometimes my hair has a tendency to get sort of fuzzy from highlighting and blow drying. I can't use much conditioner in spite of the tangles, or my hair gets limp. I just use a tiny little drop of this every two days, rub it into the ends of my wet hair before blow drying and then I have smooth soft hair that isn't limp or fuzzy or tangled.

Goody Round Brush-I was looking for something to give my hair more body when blow drying (I have fine, thin hair) and this inexpensive brush ($6) does a wonderful job.

My hardcover Little House series. When I opened them for Christmas, I read them all cover to cover over Christmas break...which is about the tenth time I've read them, the last being when I was probably in junior high. When read as an adult (and as a mom), I gleamed more wisdom than I ever had as a child.

This is a cheap lens ($120) as far as camera lenses go, and takes beautiful photos, especially portraits. It is a fixed lens, which means the lens doesn't zoom in and out, the photographer has to move in and out. It's nice and light. It allows me to take natural light photos in low light-inside-which comes in handy in the winter months.

I love scented candles, and we have a Yankee Candle by our house, so often if I am lucky to find an hour to myself, I hit the bookstore, and then treat myself to a candle. They have great coupons if you sign up on the email list. When the kids ask me what I want for my birthday or Christmas I send them to pick out a candle. I love having the house smell nice and not like bacon or wet soccer cleats.

I bought this print from a cute Etsy shop and it sits next to my sink so I see it every morning. She has many beautiful sayings and I love the simple artwork.

I still use a wall calendar (I just can't transition to technology) and I have been buying Susan Branch for years. I can always count on this under the tree and then love spending time filling it out over Christmas break. It seems like I just bought this one yesterday, 2015 went so quickly!

Darn I wish I would have never tried one of these. And Janey loves them too and says I have to share with her. It's the most I'll spend on chocolate, but they are heavenly, and they are also hidden under the broccoli in the refrigerator. (This year they are a special Christmas treat since I have been eating healthy!)

Visit the updated versions of the popular postsOur Favorite Toys, Books and Games where I list our favorite most-played with quality toys from the last twenty-one years of gift giving.

I have heard many swear by the shark! Your favorites list is my fave - it is real and not filled with unnecessary frivolous and expensive items, although I think you deserve to use a bit more lotion - 2 years?! And I loved the bedtime vision - again keeping it real! I am laughing about the ugg boots. I was given a pair (someone whose mom didn't want them) in pristine condition but I looked ridiculous so my daughter snapped them up. Just can't do it but everyone swears by their warmth and comfort!

Oh my do we live Lindor chocolates here ! I used to buy one in the checkout line at Joanns. I feel the same way about Uggs . I don't have a pair but last night , despite being a very mild day my feet were so cold I had to put on wool socks and thought I should get a house slipper or shoe.

Oh my goodness, we have so much in common! ;) I just bought a Shark vacuum ( my Dyson bit the dust too) and I LOVE it. And I use Mary Kay and am obsessed with the Lindt truffles. They are SO good cold. :) Have the camera lens, and have read the Little House series about 20 times. It makes me sad that my kids would rather read Harry Potter and The Hunger Games than Little House on the Prairie. :)

I loved your list. The simple things in life really are best. I have to admit as well that the vacuum cleaner would be on the very top of my list as well. I love a freshly vacuumed floor. It brings me much happiness!!!

I had a similar experience with Uggs and the ones I've had for about 5 years have holes in the toes so I finally bought myself new ones at the end of last season. My teenage daughter informed me that they are no longer in style but I don't care because warm feet are more important to me than style! (Ok that's not ENTIRELY true. I mostly wear them around the house and out for quick errands. If I need to look "put together" I choose different boots (for say, church) and then change into my Uggs as soon as I get home.

I too have read the Little House Series about ten times. I discovered Laura's daughter also wrote a series on her own life. The series is called The Rocky Ridge Series.. I found it in the children"s section of my library. The books are in the fiction section. They were written by Rose Wilder Lane, but the author is Rose's adopted grandson. The series takes over where Laura's story leaves off. They are almost as good a read as the Little House Series. I LOVE your blog. Julie

I like your list Sarah! I begged for a new vacuum for years, and then my husband totally surprised me with a central vac in our house and I cried. It was the best surprise ever! So I get how you feel!!!I need to try out that lens. It sounds like one that I'd get a lot of use out of. Thanks for sharing!

I told you I was going to love your old lady list! And that vacuum is on Sams club special this Saturday for $99, I am going to get it!! My sil has it and loves it too, so you have both sold me. My mom got me the Little house hardbacks about 10 years ago and they are still one of my favorite things. when I am feeling stressed, I read Little House and they make me long for a simpler time. Love the quote of hers too! You make me laugh with your chocolate in your vegetables and the head lamp. I will pay one of your kids to get a picture for us...bwahahahaha. Loved them all -- thank you ♥

I truly loved this list, and found every single thing relevant and interesting to know. I also have dry sensitive skin and at 38 have realized that it's time to take the skin seriously. I was so pleased that the link was for my BFF Amazon, and that I didn't have to go in search of a Mary Kay sales person. Already placed my order. Thank you for sharing!

I loved your UGG coments. I too hated UGGS, and swore I would never own a pair along with Birkenstocks and Crocks. I now own 2 pair of UGGS and I'm an Arizona girl but love love love them (and it helps that we have a nordtroms outlet that sells them by the truck loads for $50.) I also caved to the Birks - wore them all summer - both pair, and boy do those Crocks work well for yard work. This middle aged grandma has had a fashion change of heart and now has happy feet!

I would LOVE a new vacuum for Christmas, but my old Kenmore that my then-appliance-selling-new-husband picked out will not die!! hahaha....and when it works just fine, I cannott justify the price of the Dyson Ball, which is my weird vacuum day-dream. I told my husband a few years ago "this is how I know I'm old..."I love your list. It's just like everything on your blog- real and wise. :)

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty two years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 22-4), I still feel the same. I can’t imagine a more challenging, fulfilling, rewarding “job” than being a mom. It truly is a vocation, and I feel blessed beyond measure.